Data from: Evolution of genetic variance during adaptive radiation

Genetic correlations between traits can concentrate genetic variance into
fewer phenotypic dimensions that can bias evolutionary trajectories along
the axis of greatest genetic variance and away from optimal phenotypes,
constraining the rate of evolution. If genetic correlations limit
adaptation, rapid adaptive divergence between multiple contrasting
environments may be difficult. However, if natural selection increases the
frequency of rare alleles after colonisation of new environments, an
increase in genetic variance in the direction of selection can accelerate
adaptive divergence. Here, we explored adaptive divergence of an
Australian native wildflower by examining the alignment between divergence
in phenotype mean and divergence in genetic variance among four
contrasting ecotypes. We found divergence in mean multivariate phenotype
along two major axes represented by different combinations of plant
architecture and leaf traits. Ecotypes also showed divergence in the level
of genetic variance in individual traits, and the multivariate
distribution of genetic variance among traits. Divergence in multivariate
phenotypic mean aligned with divergence in genetic variance, with much of
the divergence in phenotype among ecotypes associated with changes in
trait combinations containing substantial levels of genetic variance.
Overall, our results suggest that natural selection can alter the
distribution of genetic variance underlying phenotypic traits, increasing
the amount of genetic variance in the direction of natural selection and
potentially facilitating rapid adaptive divergence during an adaptive
radiation.